COMPARISON OF POVIDONE-IODINE VS CHLOROHEXIDINE IN PRE-OPERATIVE SKIN PREPARATION IN ELECTIVE ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY CASES

Introduction: SSI (Surgical site infection) is the dreaded complication following orthopaedic surgery. The main source of surgical site infection is the patient’s own skin flora. So skin preparation plays a major role in preventing the SSI. This study aims to compare povidone-iodine and 2% chlorohexidine alcohol in pre-operative skin preparation in elective orthopedic surgery and followed uo for 4 weeks for and postop SSI. Methods:This was a prospective study of 30 patients who underwent elective orthopaedic procedures between October 2021 to November 2021 with a follow-up duration of 4 weeks. A group of 30 patients of both sexes, different age groups with associated co-morbidities were included in our study. Results: They were divided into 2 groups of 15. Group-1 consisted of 9 males and 6 females; their mean age was 51, of which 9 had associated co-morbidities. Group-2 consisted of 8 males and 7 females. There were statistical differences (p<0.05) between co-morbidites in both groups and no statistical difference in risk factors between the two groups in terms of age and gender. In group 1 there were 6 surgical site infections, and in group 2 there were 3 cases of surgical site infection identified. The overall rate of SSI was lower in group-2 (chlorohexidine gluconate with alcohol). Conclusion: In this study, we conclude that 2%Chlorohexidine with alcohol can be used instead of povidone-iodine for pre-operative skin preparation agent in elective orthopaedic surgeries as the rate of SSI and complications were lesser with this agent.